A meeting room at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) headquarters now bears the name of former LDWF Secretary Joe L. Herring.
 
With members of his family in attendance, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted unanimously at its meeting Thursday to rename the auditorium the Joe L. Herring Louisiana Room. Commission meetings, public gatherings and major department events are held in the room.
 
Herring, who served as LDWF Secretary from 1992-96, died on June 9. He was 89.
 
“From his work as a field biologist with LDWF in the 1950s all the way to his run as LDWF Secretary in the middle 1990s, Joe had a profound effect on this department,’’ LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet said. “He served this department and this state in an exemplary manner. We’re all pleased the commission extended this honor and we’ll always remember Joe and his work with LDWF.’’
 
Herring was born in Ruston, raised in Shreveport and graduated from Louisiana Tech in May 1949 with a wildlife management degree. He served in the U.S. Army.
 
He began his career at LDWF on Jan. 15, 1955. He served in many capacities, including as a district supervisor in Monroe from 1955-62, as LDWF’s Fish and Game Chief from 1962-71, then Chief of the Game Division from 1971-79. He was Assistant Secretary for Wildlife in 1979-80 and from 1984-92 when former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards appointed him LDWF secretary, a post he held until he retired in 1996.
 
Herring played a part in many of the success stories at LDWF. He had a hand in helping to bring back the white-tailed deer population in north Louisiana as well as restoring the alligator, the brown pelican and the bald eagle.
 
He also earned numerous state and national awards for his conservation work. Herring placed a major emphasis on educating the public about Louisiana’s outdoors and the need for conservation measures to keep those resources abundant and flourishing.
 
Even in retirement, Herring continued to work to protect and promote Louisiana’s wildlife resources. He was active with the East Ascension Sportsman’s League, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the Baton Rouge Sportsman’s League and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation among other organizations.